Michael Gambon

One of the most respected and accomplished actors on stage, film and television since the 1960s, Sir Michael Gambon essayed men of complex passions, flaws and appetites in projects ranging from classi...
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Veteran British actress Julie Walters struggles to learn her lines as she is suffering from short-term memory loss. The 64-year-old stars in new period drama Indian Summers, but she has revealed she is showing signs of ageing and can no longer learn scripts quickly.
Speaking at a preview screening, Walters says, "Years ago I would learn them the night before. But my short-term memory has disappeared. I can't do that any more."
The news comes shortly after Walters' fellow British star Michael Gambon revealed he has quit theatre work because of his diminishing memory.

This Valentine's Day, tell the love of your life (or any person you know that likes Harry Potter) what you really feel about them with this crudely drawn cards.
1. For the Dumbledore lover:
valentines-cards.tumblr.com
2.For your fellow Death Eaters:
valentines-card.tumblr.com
3. If you're trying to get someone to come home with you:
isolated-psycho.tumblr.com
4. For the people who love Neville and puns:
gurl.tumblr.com
5. If you're trying to take your relationship to the next level:
octopus-titties.tumblr.com
6. For the Draco girls (and guys):
whereisharrytruman.tumblr.com
7. For the other pun lover you know:
mitchn5.tumblr.com
8. For the person who knows about the "Chamber of Secrets":
valentine-cardz.tumblr.com
9. Even Voldemort deserves some love:
kickthe-awkward-phanstickz.tumblr.com
10. If you're trying to win someone's affections:
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11. For the person who is into twins:
thehat-manandrobin.tumblr.com
12. For the dirty Snape lovers:
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13. For the charmer in your life:
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14. For the person who believes in all relationships:
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Make sure you find your own Chosen One this holiday.
Warner Bros./i-am-lord-trolldemort.tumblr.com
Tweet us your favorite Potter Valentine's cards.
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Veteran actor Sir Michael Gambon has yet to read a book by J.K. Rowling despite starring in several on-screen adaptations of her work. The 74-year-old star played Albus Dumbledore in six Harry Potter movies and currently features as pompous politician Howard Mollison in The Casual Vacancy, a television mini-series based on Rowling's novel of the same name.
However, Gambon admits he has never read any of the British author's works, telling Britain's The Sunday Times Magazine, "No (I haven't read The Casual Vacancy.) (Rowling) did send me one (a copy of the book), which was very kind, but it didn't arrive until I got home, having just finished (filming) the whole thing. It's a bit thick for my storyline. No (I haven't read Harry Potter). I've only read my part. Is this terrible, what I'm saying?"
The Casual Vacancy airs in the U.K. on Sunday (15Feb15).

Harry Potter star Sir Michael Gambon is heartbroken after quitting theatre due to his diminishing memory. The veteran actor, who played Albus Dumbledore in the magic franchise, struggles with his short-term memory, and is no longer able to memorise scripts even though he has been cleared by doctors who tested him for Alzheimer's disease.
He attempted to bypass the problem by having lines fed to him through an earpiece, but Gambon admits the scheme did not work and he has now decided to walk away from theatre for good.
He tells Britain's The Sunday Times Magazine, "It's a horrible thing to admit but I can't do it. It breaks my heart... It's when the script's in front of me and it takes me forever to learn it. It's frightening.
"There was a girl in the wings and I had a plug in my ear so she could read me the lines and after about an hour I thought, 'This can't work. You can't be in theatre, free on stage shouting and screaming and running around, with someone reading you your lines'."
Gambon, 74, plans to continue working in both film and TV.

A representative for Robbie Coltrane is adamant the Harry Potter star will be "fine" after he was taken ill on a flight to Florida on Thursday (29Jan15). The 64 year old was rushed to hospital upon arrival in Orlando after he suffered flu-like symptoms during his journey from London.
His agent Belinda Wright confirmed he was still receiving treatment and would remain in the medical facility for the coming days, adding, "The prognosis is that he is going to be fine."
Coltrane has been forced to pull out of an appearance at a three-day Harry Potter convention, which begins on Friday (30Jan15).
A statement from Warner Bros. reads, "Robbie took ill last night and is getting the rest he needs to feel better. We are sorry he cannot be with us this weekend and look forward to seeing him up and about soon."
Michael Gambon, who played Professor Dumbledore, Luna Lovegood actress Evanna Lynch, and James and Oliver Phelps, who played the Weasley twins in the wizard franchise, will attend the event.

"I remember driving up Oxford Street at 4am after six or seven pints, unaware that I was going in the wrong direction up a one-way street. A policeman pulled me over and advised me to park up and seek alternative transport home. I parked up, watched him go and then drove home. That wouldn't happen today. You'd be banned for a year. I might be talking s**t but it seemed like a freer place." Sir Michael Gambon is nostalgic for the 1960s when Britain had more lenient laws.

Early scenes from the Dad's Army movie have appeared online after a British news and photo agency captured a dramatic sea rescue off the coast of Yorkshire, England. WENN photographers spotted Toby Jones rescuing Catherine Zeta-Jones in the frigid waters at Bridlington Beach, which doubles as the coast of Dover in the remake of the beloved BBC TV comedy series.
Jones leads the cast as Captain George Mainwaring, the leader of a World War II home guard unit, and Zeta-Jones portrays a journalist spy.
Bridlington Beach was crawling with British stars as Tuesday's (04Nov14) filming also included veterans Bill Nighy, Sir Michael Gambon, Tom Courtenay, Sarah Lancashire and Blake Harrison.
The original Dad's Army show ran from 1968 to 1977 and was made into a spin-off film in 1971. The cast included Arthur Lowe, as Mainwaring, Ian Lavender, Clive Dunn and John Le Mesurier.

A co-creator of classic British sitcom Dad's Army has sent a good luck message to producers behind a big-screen version of the show. Stars including Bill Nighy, Michael Gambon, Mark Gatiss and Catherine Zeta-Jones have signed up to appear in a movie adaptation of the beloved comedy, which followed the exploits of a group of World War II Home Guard troops.
The planned film has met with scepticism from some critics, but co-writer Jimmy Perry is curious how the production will pan out after the decision to introduce females to the all-male cast.
Perry, who created the sitcom with David Croft, tells Britain's Daily Mail newspaper, "We didn't really have any women in main parts in the original. But I wasn't consulted and I can't do anything about it as I sold the rights. I can only wish the film-makers the best of luck."

The Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison has been cast as simpleton Private Pike in the movie adaptation of beloved British TV series Dad's Army. The role was played by Ian Lavender on TV between 1968 and 1977, and now Harrison will join a cast that includes Toby Jones as Captain Mainwaring, Bill Nighy as Sergeant Wilson, Michael Gambon, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Mark Gatiss.
The BBC comedy, which was voted Britain's best sitcom in 2004, followed the exploits of a World War Two Home Guard platoon stationed in English coastal town Walmington-on-Sea.

Harry Potter co-stars Sir Michael Gambon and Imelda Staunton are reuniting onscreen to help bring beloved children's character Paddington Bear to life in an upcoming movie. Gambon, who replaced the late Richard Harris as Professor Dumbledore in the boy wizard films, will provide the voice of Uncle Pastuzo, while Staunton will play Aunt Lucy.
Skyfall actor Ben Whishaw will take on the title role in Paddington after Colin Firth walked away from the project earlier this year (14).
Another Harry Potter star, Julie Walters, will also be part of the cast, alongside Nicole Kidman, Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville and new Doctor Who Peter Capaldi.
The film, based on the books by author Michael Bond, is scheduled for release at Christmas (14).

Title

Replaced the late Richard Harris in role of Prof. Albus Dumbledore for "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"

Appeared in Michael Mann's "The Insider"

Starred as the title character on BBC series "Maigret"

Starred in "Cressida" on the London stage

Played Father Jack, the only brother in a family of sisters in "Dancing at Lughnasa"

Cast as the host of a shooting party in Robert Altman's ensemble "Gosford Park"

Joined the National Theatre, then under direction of Lord Laurence Olivier

Played title role in BBC miniseries "The Singing Detective"

Starred in Matthew Vaughn's British gangster hit "Layer Cake"

Played Sir John Falstaff in Nicholas Hytner's National Theatre production of "Henry IV, Part 1" and "Henry IV, Part 2"

Reprised role of Prof. Dumbledore for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," the seventh and final installment of series directed by David Yates; film released in two parts, Part 1 November 2010 and Part 2 July 2011

Made stage debut in small role in "Othello" at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin, Ireland

Acted opposite Matt Damon in Robert De Niro's long-anticipated "The Good Shepherd"

Cast as clockmaker John Harrison in miniseries "Longitude" (aired in U.S. on A&E)

Summary

One of the most respected and accomplished actors on stage, film and television since the 1960s, Sir Michael Gambon essayed men of complex passions, flaws and appetites in projects ranging from classical theater and "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover" (1989) to the "Harry Potter" franchise, where he replaced Richard Harris as the fatherly wizard Dumbledore. An acolyte of Laurence Olivier, he honed his craft on the British stage in productions of plays by Samuel Beckett and Alan Ayckbourn; major theater awards precipitated celebrated turns on television in "The Singing Detective" (BBC1, 1986), which in turn launched a film career as dastards like his brutal gangster in "Thief" or men hobbled by regret in "Dancing in Lunghnasa" (1998). Hits in Hollywood like "Sleepy Hollow" (1999) boosted his profile, which led to Emmy nominations for "The Path to War" (HBO, 2002) and "Emma" (BBC1, 2009) as well as steady work on stage and in front of the camera. While most moviegoers recognized him as Dumbledore, his vast and storied career displayed a breadth of talent that made him an actor worthy of his late mentor's mantle of the world's finest working actor.

Name

Role

Comments

Edward Gambon

Father

Irish; emigrated to England c. 1948

Mary Gambon

Mother

Irish; emigrated to England c. 1948

Fergus Gambon

Son

Born 1964; mother, Anne Miller; Worked at Phillips (auction house); also appeared as an expert on BBC's "Antiques Roadshow"